$5 Million Naming Rights Deal Signed by Oakland University CU
The credit union’s 10-year partnership includes naming rights to OU Credit Union O’rena.
Oakland University’s campus sits about 25 miles north of Detroit in the small town of Rochester, Mich. It’s home to nearly 15,000 students and Oakland University Credit Union (OUCU). The credit union and university announced Monday a new $5 million naming rights deal, which will give the credit union a boost in branding exposure with the newly-named OU Credit Union O’rena.
OUCU, the official credit union of the university, was established as a trade name of the $7.2 billion Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) in 2013.
According to details of the new partnership, OUCU’s 10-year deal with the university will give the credit union signage and displays throughout the O’rena. The O’rena is home to Oakland University’s Golden Grizzly student-athletes involved in men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams.
“Thank you to the Oakland University Credit Union for this transformational naming rights partnership. OU Credit Union is a longstanding partner with Oakland University and the Athletics Department, and this significant O’rena naming rights agreement elevates this partnership to another level, benefiting each of our sports programs and current and future Golden Grizzly student-athletes for years to come,” said Oakland University Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield. “I look forward to the Athletics Department’s expanded collaborations with OU Credit Union and the many positive outcomes these collaborations will create for OU Credit Union members, OU and the community.”
MSUFCU President/CEO April Clobes said, “As a longtime partner with Oakland University, OU Credit Union is pleased to expand our partnership with Oakland University Athletics with the naming of the O’rena. Through this sponsorship, we are looking forward to expanding our programming with OU Athletics, engaging our members and the campus with events and community programs.”
Playfly Sports Properties President Christy Hedgpeth said, “This is truly a landmark partnership for Oakland University Athletics and OU Credit Union. Naming rights deals hold immense power and influence to local and regional fandoms, and building an even more comprehensive partnership around that marquee asset will be an impressive case study on brand impact and engagement. The OU Sports Properties team is eager to start activating these assets for both the Oakland University Athletics community and OU Credit Union to transform the beloved O’rena for the student-athletes and fans.”